Keith Boanas not promising “quick fix” after taking Millwall Lionesses job

BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk

Keith Boanas has warned that there will be no “quick fix” in guiding Millwall Lionesses up the women’s football pyramid.

The Lionesses finished sixth in London & South East Regional Premier Division last season – 29 points behind champions Worthing.

Boanas, 64, previously managed Charlton Athletic and they won the FA Cup and League Cup twice during his seven years at the helm.

He was appointed Millwall Lionesses boss in June 2008 before taking charge of Estonia women’s national team the following January.

Boanas’ most recent post was as head coach of Welling United Women.

“I am under no illusion that this will be a quick fix,” said Boanas. “Even at step 5 there are players who either have, or are capable of, playing higher level.

“It is a highly competitive division with some strong sides attached to good non-league sides – they are well-funded and supported.

“My task will be to build a team with the values, beliefs, and passion in the shirt, and with a mentality to fight for each other.

“I have always tried to do that whichever level I have coached, male or female. I just want players who want to play for Millwall, play for me, my staff and their team-mates and give everything.

“We need a balance of experience and the energy of young fearless players to be successful. It may take time to find that balance, but we will do so. I also want to build on the links and pathways between the senior side and the girls youth academy.

“There is no doubt that the club should not be sitting at the level we currently are.

“Millwall Lionesses is a name etched in the history of the women’s game – having won major honours – but perhaps most famously so as the club where many England international of that era started their careers. That includes my own wife, Pauline Cope, who played for the Lionesses from the age of 12 upwards, and also Hope Powell, Katie Chapman, Mary Peters Lou Waller and many others.

“I coached the Lionesses in the season they returned to the then Premier League in 2008-2009 with the help of Matt Beard toward the season’s end as I went overseas to coach internationally.

“Since then I have worked in the men’s game in non-league and as an educator, developer and mentor of coaches for the FA, Post-16 Girl’s Academy at Barking Abbey, head coach of the ECFA girls’ national team and, most recently, at my most local club, Welling United Women.

“The situation at Welling meant there was not an opportunity for me to stay in the role and soon after came the call from Millwall presenting an opportunity that was immediately very exciting.”

Crystal Palace have released Rianna Dean, Hollie Olding and Emily Wilson-White.

Paige Gayle has been called up by Jamaica for the 2023 Women’s World Cup, jointly hosted in Australia and New Zealand from July 20-August 20.

Jamaica face France (July 23), Panama (July 29) and Brazil (August 2).

PICTURE: MILLWALL FC